5 Laws That If Broken Can Land Pet Owners Facing A Penalty
After a recent incident in Richmond Park, police are inquiring for any information on the dog owner responsible, after a deer was fatally injured.
Keeping your dog on a lead is essential not only for its own safety but also for protecting the environment and others who use the outdoor space. What many owners don’t realise is that they may become liable for the way their dog behaves off the lead.
Letting your dog roam off-leash can have unintended consequences, especially regarding wildlife. With this in mind, the team at Tails.com has highlighted the 5 laws you need to abide by to responsibly look after your pets and avoid facing a fine.
Dogs must always wear an identification tag
All dogs must wear an identification tag with their owner’s name and address on it, when out in a public place. Even if your dog is already microchipped, an identification tag is essential and can help your dog be easily returned safe and sound. While the law states that the tag only requires the name and up-to-date address of an owner, it can be beneficial to add a contact phone number to ensure your dog is found and returned sooner.
What happens if you break the Control of Dogs Order 1992? Failing to provide your dog with an up-to-date identification tag, can leave you facing a fine of up to £2,000.
Pets must be suitably restrained in the car
Rule 57 of the Highway Code states “When in a vehicle, make sure dogs or other animals are suitably restrained so they cannot distract you while you are driving, or injure you or themselves if you stop quickly.”
Failure to ensure your pets are secured in the car ahead of a journey can leave you facing a fine of up to £5,000 for careless driving under the Road Traffic Act 1988. You could also be subject to penalty points on your licence.
Dogs must be on leads in specified areas
While walking your four-legged friend off lead is allowed in most parts of the UK and should be enjoyed, provided they have a solid recall. In some areas, it is illegal to walk your dog without a lead.
Some areas have a Public Spaces Protection Order or a Dog Control Order in place, which means that dogs either have to be walked on a lead or, in some cases, restricted from the area altogether. This can include beaches at certain times of the year, sports pitches, children’s play areas, specific roads, and areas in parks.
Owners should be on the lookout for warning signs in these areas, as failing to comply can leave you with a fine of up to £1,000.
Comply with the countryside code
Scenic countryside strolls with your canine companion are a must but have to be undertaken responsibly. If you’re heading into a field that has livestock, it’s essential that you immediately put your dog on its lead, or you could end up breaking the Dogs Protection of Livestock Act 1953.
If your dog is off lead and begins causing distress to sheep, cattle, poultry or any other farm animals, not only could you be given a fine of up to £1,000, but you could also be putting your own pet in danger, with farmers being permitted to shoot a dog if it puts their livestock in danger.
Dog fouling
Failing to pick up after your dog can see you being served with a fixed penalty notice of £100. The law states that not having a suitable means to pick it up, not being aware your dog has fouled, or the dog not belonging to you, do not qualify as reasonable excuses. If you refuse to pay the fine, and it advances to going to court, you could be charged an even higher fine of £1,000.
Some areas have a stop-and-search order in place to ensure that those walking their dog have sufficient poo bags to hand, to show they are prepared to pick up their dog’s mess. Those failing to have spare bags in place could also face a fine, despite not yet being guilty of not picking up their dog’s mess.
